The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a final rule that fundamentally alters how international students maintain legal status in the United States. Effective September 15, 2026, the long-standing "duration of status" (D/S) model will be replaced with a stricter "admit until date" (AUD) system, capping F and J visa holders at a maximum of four years before they must apply for renewal. The change, announced during a webinar hosted by the Office of International Affairs (OIA) at the University, is expected to have far-reaching consequences for undergraduates, graduate students, and particularly Ph.D. candidates, whose programs often extend beyond the new limit.
What Is Changing: From D/S to AUD
For decades, international students entering the U.S. under F-1 (academic) or J-1 (exchange visitor) visas have benefited from the D/S model, which allowed them to remain in the country as long as they were enrolled in an accredited academic program. The new rule replaces this open-ended status with the AUD model, which sets a firm expiration date on a student's authorized stay—typically four years from the date of arrival, plus a 30-day grace period.
According to the Chicago Maroon, DHS justifies the change as a measure to prevent students from enrolling in multiple programs solely to prolong their legal stay. However, the agency has acknowledged that only 2,100 such cases were identified among millions of F-1 visa holders since 2000, raising questions about the necessity of such a sweeping overhaul.
Key Dates and Transition Rules
Students who enter the U.S. before September 15, 2026, will retain D/S status until their program ends, but no later than November 14, 2030. However, these students are barred from traveling abroad during this period, as doing so could jeopardize their status.
For those entering after the effective date, AUD status will be granted for up to four years and 30 days after arrival. If more time is needed to complete a program, students must file an extension of status (EOS) application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Additionally, AUD may be shortened if a student's passport expires before their program concludes, making passport validity a critical factor.
Reduced Grace Period and Educational Limits
The new rule also cuts the grace period for F visa holders from 60 days to 30 days after program completion. This reduced window gives students less time to prepare for departure, transfer, or apply for optional practical training (OPT).
Undergraduates face new restrictions on academic flexibility: they cannot transfer schools or change majors during their first year. At institutions like the University of Chicago, where students typically declare majors after the first year, this restriction could limit students' ability to pivot academically. Graduate students, meanwhile, are prohibited from changing programs or transferring schools at any point. Nick Seamons, OIA Executive Director, explained in the webinar: "Moving forward, we do not expect that flexibility to exist, and you may be restricted to simply completing the MPP as you were admitted."
Restrictions on Second Degrees
All F-1 visa holders will be barred from pursuing a second degree at the same level or enrolling in a new program at the same or lower level. For example, a student who completes a master's degree cannot enroll in another master's, bachelor's, or certificate program. This rule effectively prevents students from using multiple degrees to extend their stay, aligning with DHS's stated goal of curbing status maintenance abuse.
Impact on Ph.D. Students
Ph.D. students are expected to bear the brunt of the new policy. The national median time to complete a Ph.D. in 2024 was 5.7 years, according to data cited in the webinar—well beyond the four-year AUD limit. Students nearing their AUD expiration will need to apply for an extension of status (EOS) through OIA and USCIS, adding administrative burdens and uncertainty to an already demanding academic journey.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Other Provisions
Graduating students applying for OPT will face different requirements based on their visa status. Those under D/S graduating in academic year 2026–27 can apply for OPT without EOS if they remain in the U.S. and submit their application by March 2027. In contrast, students under AUD must apply for EOS before their authorized stay expires if they need extra time for OPT.
On-campus employment and curricular practical training (CPT), such as internships or research, remain unaffected by the new rule. However, the DHS final rule includes provisions that allow certain aspects to be delayed by up to two years if implementation proves difficult. OIA is awaiting further clarification from DHS, the State Department, and USCIS, and a dedicated webpage is being developed to provide updates.
These changes represent a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy, and international students, especially those in long-term programs, are urged to consult with their international student offices and plan carefully for their academic and professional futures.
